The second brand-new HC-130J combat rescue aircraft destined for service with the 347th Rescue Group at Moody AFB, Ga., last week touched down at the base, announced the company. A Moody crew on Aug, 14 ferried this factory-fresh HC-130J from Lockheed Martin’s assembly facility in Marietta, Ga., to the south Georgia installation, states the company’s release. Overall, the 374th RQG is slated to receive nine HC-130Js over the next five years, according to Moody officials. The group’s first HC-130J arrived one month ago. The Air Force plans to procure 37 HC-130Js to replace its legacy HC-130P/Ns. The service’s first combat-ready HC-130J arrived at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., in November.
The second version of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft should have more capability than the first but mustn't be an "exquisite" and expensive platform that would defeat the notion of "affordable mass," outgoing Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said.